1. South Bend neighborhoods lead exposure hot spots
2. Lead exposure hot spots in South Bend neighborhoods.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : South Bend – Curtis Cathey was filled with concern upon hearing about the potential risks of elevated lead levels in his neighbourhood, which is dotted with older homes. Attending the Miami Village Neighborhood Summer Kickoff event with his two sons, 11-year-old Aasim and 6-year-old Ameer, Cathey felt a strong determination to understand the potential hazards that his home might pose to his family.
Aasim and Ameer often spend time playing outdoors, and Cathey used to cultivate cucumbers in his yard.
“I didn’t realise it was such a big issue,” Cathey shared. “I’m going to head home to gather some soil samples and have them tested.”
At the summer kickoff event held at Randolph Park on June 1, Ornella Joseph and Vikrant Jandev, graduate students with the Notre Dame Lead Innovation Team, offered lead testing services to the community.
“We encourage people to bring in their soil samples for testing on-site so that we can provide them with information on the lead levels and suggest remedial actions,” Joseph explained. She works at a laboratory under the guidance of Notre Dame Professor Marya Lieberman.
Lead, being a neurotoxin, can lead to severe health complications such as brain and nerve damage, as highlighted by the St. Joseph County Department of Health. They emphasised that no level of lead exposure is considered safe, with children under the age of 7 being at the highest risk of developing learning and behavioural issues, including developmental disabilities. Pregnant women can also transmit lead to their unborn children.
Lead exposure often occurs through ingesting lead paint chips or dust, with children at risk of ingesting soil when not washing their hands properly after playing outside. Additionally, consuming produce grown in soil with high lead content can also lead to exposure. Paint dust within homes can be another source of lead exposure, especially if it accumulates on floors or window sills and is inadvertently ingested.
According to the St. Joseph County Department of Health, South Bend has a higher concentration of lead in its soil compared to Flint, Michigan’s water crisis in 2014.
In her three years of providing lead testing kits, Joseph noted an increase in community awareness regarding lead levels. More residents are returning lead kits for testing, indicating a growing concern in the neighbourhood.
She stated that 77% of the lead screening kits analysed by the team revealed one or more lead hazards.
Lead testing kits typically consist of individual plastic bags where residents can place their soil samples. The first bag is designated for soil around the home, known as the “drip zone,” where high lead levels may be present due to paint dust or chips. The second bag is for soil in play areas, if residents have them, while the third bag is for soil on the street. Joseph mentioned that street soil samples have not shown elevated lead levels recently.
After receiving a lead kit, Cathey returned home and brought back soil and paint samples for testing. Using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence analyser, Joseph quickly analysed the lead levels in Cathey’s soil, which showed a reading of 238 parts per million. This reading exceeded the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s recent lowered hazard threshold of 200 parts per million, down from the previous 400 parts per million for soil.
“It’s higher than the current hazard level,” Joseph informed Cathey. She explained the potential dangers associated with such high lead levels, highlighting the importance of preventing soil tracking into the house.
Cathey’s home, built in 1918 during the era when lead paint was commonly used, raised concerns about possible lead contamination. While he had painted over some rooms, he provided a sample from an untouched room for testing.
The Department of Health’s lead community health workers noted Cathey’s address and contact details to schedule a comprehensive assessment of his house and test his son Ameer for elevated lead levels.
Debbie Applegate, the President of the Miami Village Neighborhood Association, expressed shock after learning about the high lead levels in the neighbourhood from Heidi Beidinger, co-founder of the local community coalition, Lead Affinity Group. Beidinger has been actively involved in community-based research focusing on lead poisoning prevention since 2017, aiming to educate the community about lead levels and mitigation strategies.
Miami Village, spanning from Ironwood Road to Miami Street and from Lincoln Way West to Ewing Avenue, is one of nine South Bend areas where 20 to 30% of children tested between 2005 and 2015 had confirmed elevated blood lead levels, based on Beidinger’s analysis of St. Joseph County lead database.
Indiana Department of Health census data revealed that census tract 30 in the Miami Village Neighborhood reported over 71% of homes built before 1940, with nearly 41% of children under 6 years old living in poverty. The lack of testing among many children in the area raised concerns about potential lead exposure.
Applegate highlighted the challenges faced by low-income residents in mitigating lead exposure, especially in older homes built between 1910 and 1945. She underscored the need for resources and awareness to address the issue effectively.
Contrary to Flint, Michigan, St. Joseph County’s primary lead risk lies in soil contamination, as stated by Briannah McCall, the top lead risk assessor with the county health department. McCall noted the prevalence of lead in paint due to its use in homes built before 1978, when it was banned due to health hazards.
The county’s aging housing stock, dating back to the early 20th century, contributes to the widespread presence of lead in homes, McCall explained. She mentioned that approximately 70% of homes in the county and 80% in South Bend are likely to contain lead due to their construction timelines.
Lead naturally occurs in soil, with higher concentrations found in neighbourhoods where houses are closely situated, McCall elaborated. The proximity of homes during construction allowed lead to seep into the soil, leading to elevated levels.
Applegate initiated efforts to raise awareness about lead exposure in the community, with the Miami Village neighbourhood’s summer kickoff event serving as a platform to provide resources and information to residents.
“Our top priority is ensuring the safety of everyone, especially our children,” Applegate emphasised.
Jonathan Carmona, a lead community health worker with St. Joseph County, regularly conducts testing and educational outreach in homes, schools, daycares, and libraries. He collaborates with healthcare providers to ensure consistent lead testing for children and emphasises the importance of repeat testing.
To maintain uniformity in lead testing, the Indiana State Department of Health introduced standards for health providers under House Enrolled Act 1313. The legislation mandates lead testing for children between 9 and 13 months old, followed by additional tests at 21 and 27 months. Children aged 28 to 72 months without prior lead testing must undergo screening immediately.
Carmona noted an increase in child lead testing due to proactive outreach measures, particularly in areas like Mishawaka, Miami Village, and historical homes in the Near Northwest neighbourhood.
The county health department’s Lead Program Coordinator, Micaela Enright, highlighted the impact of leaded gasoline on lead levels, as remnants of leaded gas persist in some small piston engine aircraft today. She acknowledged a decline in lead testing during the pandemic, as COVID-19 restrictions prioritised other health concerns.
Research published in the Journal of Pediatric Healthcare reported a decrease in lead screening during the pandemic, with increased time spent at home potentially leading to higher exposure risks. Efforts are underway to boost lead testing and awareness programmes to address the fluctuating testing rates.
Enright stressed the preventable nature of lead exposure and the importance of proactive measures to mitigate risks. She outlined the department’s plans to enhance clinical outreach and educational initiatives to increase child testing rates.
“Every child should undergo lead testing,” Enright affirmed, underscoring the department’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.
Organisations interested in hosting lead poisoning prevention presentations can contact Lead Affinity Group co-founders Kathy Schuth and Heidi Beidinger for further information.
For more information, contact Tribune staff writer Camille Sarabia at csarabia@gannett.com..
– South Bend neighborhoods lead exposure hot spots
– Lead exposure South Bend neighborhoods.
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